Improvement in type-writing machines



L.S.CRANDALL.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 23,1875.

ATTGBHEYS.

N,FETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHEH, WASHINGTON. D

Unrrnn STATES PATENT OFFIoE LUOlEN S. ORANDALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 170,239, dated November 23, 1875; application filed August 28, 187 5.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUcIEN S. ORANDALL,

of the city,'county, and State of New York,

have invented a new and Improved Type- Writer, of which the following is a specification:

1n the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved type-writer, showing arrangement of the main elements of the same; Fig. 2, a top view of the system of finger-levers and type-bars as grouped together for action on the platen; and Figs. 3 and 4 are detail side views of finger-lever and typebar, showing duplex motion of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of my invention is to so improve the construction of the type-writing machines that the working elements of the same are greatly simplified and rapidly and conveniently manipulated, and also the number of keys and type-levers, and thereby the cost of the type-writers reduced.

The invention consists, mainly, in a vibrating platen and paper-feed arranged in connection with a series of type-bars, which are provided with more than one type, and operated by oscillating finger-levers in such a manner that, according to the backward or forward motion of the same, tWo adjoining types are printed on a common center, which centers may be increased in proportion to the type by definite vibrations of the platen produced by suitable mechanism.

In the drawing, A represents the supporting-frame of my improved type writer, in which a number of finger-levers, B, and typebars, 0, are arranged in similar manner as the type-levers in the present type-writers, by being placed sidewise of each other when not in use, but clearing each other when operated for striking their vcommon printing-point on the platen or printing-cylinder. The platen D of my type-writer is arranged to move not only in the common Ways in longitudinal direction, but also to vibrate in the direction of the type-bars, the supporting-frame and ways being moved therewith and operated by thumbkeys from or nearthefinger-levers and suitable connecting mechanism. The vibrations of the platen may be multiplied in proportion to the number of types to be provided for. For most purposes, however, the vibration of the platen fromvthe central or normal position in forward or backward direction will be sufficient, in which case two operating thumb keys and levers are required. The paperfeed is not interfered with by the vibrations'of the platen, which furnishes, by its different positions, severalcommon printing-points, and admits thereby the application of compound type-bars with different groups of types, centering toward corresponding separate printing-points established by the vibrating platen. For greater convenience and accuracy the platen may be hung in such a manner into its supporting-frame that the same may be swung up toward the operator, and thereby the printing of the types readily inspected. The typebars B are made angular at the type-carrying end to swing toward the common printingcenter, and provided with a number of types in proportion to the printing points or centers given by the vibrating platen. For the purpose of reducing the number of type-bars as much as possible, they are so connected with the finger-levers B and stationary supportingarms E that a double action may be imparted to the same simultaneously with their swinging motion toward the printing-points. The double action'throws the lever a fixed distance in forward or backward direction, and admits thereby the use of two types on each type-bar for each printing point or center. The double action of the type-bar, and the resulting increase of types thereon, is produced by projecting cams or shoulders, at, near the pivoted ends of the type-bar, the cams being thrown by the forward or backward oscillation of the vfulcrumed finger-levers in contact'with corresponding projections or recesses, b, of the fixed standards or arms E, so as to define exactly the extent of motion required for the coupled part of types to strike their printingpoint on the platen. .The lower end of the fingenlevcrs is provided with finger-cups or equivalent rests B, that are, for the convenient working of the same, placed in segmental pos tion, the type-bars being operated by a key for each finger, and the platen by the thumb, as indicated in the drawing. I do not limit myself to any number of keys or types upon the type-bars or vibrations of the platen, as they may be increased or decreased according to the scope and size of the machine, and the purposes for which the same is to be employed, it being evident that any number of combinations of keys,type, and printing-centers may be produced by my construction. The fingercups may be connected to sliding rods and double springs, that carry the finger-levers into normal position after each oscillation,

the oscillation toward the operator throwing the type-bar forward, and thereby the rear type onto the platen, while the oscillation in opposite direction throws the type-bar back, and thereby the front type against the print- .ing-point, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig.

1. For each vibration and printing-point of the platen two types may be added on each type-bar, these types being printed by moving the platen into position before the fingerlever is oscillated. If, for instance, forty-eight types are employed, eight finger-keys and type-bars, with six letters each, and two vibrations of the platen from its normal position, are required, which, as compared to typewriters having levers and type for each key, produces a mechanism of considerable simplicity, and correspondingly less cost. The

manipulation of the type-writer may be easily acquired, and the same with equal facility operated by the blind.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. Atype-writer constructed of a vibrating platen, with a series of swinging compound type-bars and oscillating finger-levers, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a typewriter, a platen or printingcylinder vibrated in a direction transverse to the lines of printing by means of mechanism substantially as described,.for the purpose of LUOIEN S. GRANDALL.

Witnesses PAUL Gro'EPEL, JAMES H. HUNTER. 

